Where does “atheling” come from?

atheling (Middle English) comes from Old English æþeling, from Proto-Germanic aþulingaz, from Proto-Germanic aþulijaz, from Proto-Germanic aþalą, from Proto-Indo-European at-al, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.

Ancestry of “atheling”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishæþelingprince; person
2Proto-Germanicaþulingazprince
3Proto-Germanicaþulijaznoble
4Proto-Germanicaþaląnature, disposition; nobility, race
5Proto-Indo-Europeanat-alfamily, race
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam

Words derived from “atheling”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European at-al →Every word from Proto-Germanic aþalą →
atheling — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer